It has been the coldest, snowiest and wettest winter that I can remember and I am so glad it is behind us. We are also behind on all of our projects and jobs around the farm, but to quote my Uncle Gordie "Works not a rabbit, it will not run away".
Everyone and everything at FurryCreek Farm is happy and relatively healthy. Marva has just gone back to work after having a minor surgery on her hand. Joey the big white goat is limping from what appears to be an injury to her front leg. A few of our original chickens passed on due to old age (they are not so happy), while Marva has been busy hatching a new batch of chicks for market and our coop.
Everyone and everything at FurryCreek Farm is happy and relatively healthy. Marva has just gone back to work after having a minor surgery on her hand. Joey the big white goat is limping from what appears to be an injury to her front leg. A few of our original chickens passed on due to old age (they are not so happy), while Marva has been busy hatching a new batch of chicks for market and our coop.
The most exciting thing this spring so far has been the arrival of our spring lambs. "Loony Luna" a black ewe was born on March 11 and was followed by "Larry the Lamb" a white ram born eleven days later.
Our flock is slowly growing as we were able to purchase two ewe lambs from Denman Island. These sisters were born on March 9th and were named "Rocket" and "Eclaire". We are so grateful to Tashi and Dante for allowing us to have and raise these sweet girls.
On the organic side of things, the orchard has been pruned and prepared for the crop. Fences have been mended and a new gates have been hung. The garden has been modified this year, as half of it has been delegated to life as a raspberry patch. We are patiently waiting for 30 raspberry canes to arrive from Nova Scotia. (10 Killarney, 10 Royalty and 10 Heritage). The trellises have been built and installed and by next year we may have raspberries, or not!
Our neighbours, Gary & Kathy, gave us some of their extra seed potatoes and even though I said I was not growing potatoes this year, I now have 60 feet of them planted. It is definitely time to buy and plant seeds for the rest of the garden. So far all I have done is rototilled the garden beds four times so far.
Our neighbours, Gary & Kathy, gave us some of their extra seed potatoes and even though I said I was not growing potatoes this year, I now have 60 feet of them planted. It is definitely time to buy and plant seeds for the rest of the garden. So far all I have done is rototilled the garden beds four times so far.
Our Australian Shepherds, Tilly and Pippi, are both doing well. Pippi has outgrown most of her puppy traits that were driving us crazy, ie: the chewing, digging, etc..
She completed her foundation training and graduated with distinction. At the end of last year Pippi entered her first Dog Show in Port Alberni winning "Best Baby Puppy in Show". This coming weekend she is entered in the Tyee Dog Show in Duncan and we are hoping for great things from her.
She completed her foundation training and graduated with distinction. At the end of last year Pippi entered her first Dog Show in Port Alberni winning "Best Baby Puppy in Show". This coming weekend she is entered in the Tyee Dog Show in Duncan and we are hoping for great things from her.
Both of these girls love the sheep and goats . They display strong herding instincts at times, (If they would only drive the sheep in the direction I wanted them to go) while also acting as guardians especially around the lambs. Tilly has been attending classes in Novice Rally and although she is smart and learns quickly what is expected of her, she really does not seem to enjoy it. She completed her last class tonight and will continue to search for an activity more inline with her interests and desires.
You ask what else have I been doing? I say remember the 30 Maple trees that Marva's father fell last winter. So far I have cut, split and hauled up to the woodshed six cord of wood. This has made a dent in the felled trees, just a small dent but we will be warm next winter.
You ask what else have I been doing? I say remember the 30 Maple trees that Marva's father fell last winter. So far I have cut, split and hauled up to the woodshed six cord of wood. This has made a dent in the felled trees, just a small dent but we will be warm next winter.